NFL Free Agency: 10 Players Who Provide the Best Bang for Their Buck

With the start of NFL free agency just a few short weeks away, it is time to look at the players that will provide general managers and organizations with the best bang for their buck. 

This year's class of free agents is full of star power, and it also provides a number of players that have the potential to become stars themselves. 

Free agency begins on March 13, and here are 10 players that will be worth the money that is listed on their price tag.  

Alex Smith

2011 Team: San Francisco 49ers

Team That Will Sign Him: San Francisco 49ers

Projected Contract: Three years, $23 Million

The 49ers can win with Alex Smith. 

The team was just a few plays away from making it to Super Bowl XLVI, and the excellent play from its quarterback was a tremendous reason why. 

Smith attempted 68 passes in the Niners' two playoff games without an interception. He also managed six fourth-quarter victories which proves that he can produce in tough situations. 

Smith should be the 49ers first priority when free agency begins, and the team should also look to add a top free agent wide receiver. 

Vincent Jackson

2011 Team: San Diego Chargers 

Team That Will Sign Him: Chicago Bears 

Projected Contract: Five years, $45 million

The Chicago Bears top priority for the next few weeks should be to lock up Matt Forte to a long-term deal, but the team has to also take a chance on a true No. 1 wide receiver. 

Vincent Jackson would be that man, considering that talks between himself and the Chargers are almost nonexistent at this point. 

Jackson would be the second-coming of Brandon Marshall for Jay Cutler, as he would be the first top flight receiver to play with Cutler since his days as a Bronco. 

Cutler is already one of the league's best quarterbacks without a true No.1 target which allows me to believe that Jackson would have the ability to make this offensive unit into one of the league's best.

Brandon Lloyd

2011 Teams: Denver Broncos and St. Louis Rams 

Team That Will Sign Him: New England Patriots 

Projected Contract: Four years, $18 million 

Brandon Lloyd is a logical fit for the New England Patriots, considering how well he has played under the guidance of Josh McDaniels. 

The Patriots have players that can take up space over the middle of the field which would leave Lloyd in single coverage more often than none. 

Lloyd won't be nearly as expensive as some other options out there, and that is very important considering that the Pats still have to re-sign Wes Welker.

This signing seems like a no-brainer with Lloyd already knowing the offense and its concepts. 

Brandon Carr

2011 Team: Kansas City Chiefs

Team That Will Sign Him: Dallas Cowboys

Projected Contract: Six years, $48 million 

The Dallas Cowboys are in desperate need of cornerback help, and I expect them to address this need via free agency and the draft. 

Brandon Carr is a 26-year-old defensive back that has started in all four of his NFL seasons, which gives the Cowboys a combination of youth and experience at the position.  

Reggie Wayne

2011 Team: Indianapolis Colts

Team That Will Sign Him: St. Louis Rams

Projected Contract: Two years, $13 million

The St. Louis Rams need help all over the place, but the first place to start should be at the wide receiver position. 

Sam Bradford needs weapons to be successful in this league, and veteran Reggie Wayne could be a viable short-term solution to their needs. 

The 33-year-old Wayne would be an excellent player for the potential young additions to groom under, all while proving this offense with a viable threat on the outside. 

Wayne would make Sam Bradford a much better quarterback, and it is really hard to place a price tag on that. 

Marques Colston

2011 Team: New Orleans Saints

Team That Will Sign Him: San Francisco 49ers

Projected Contract: Five years, $38 million 

Marques Colston may have benifited from playing in an offensive that is receiver-friendly, but there is no questioning his suburb hands or his skills as a route-runner. 

The 49ers should be looking to upgrade at the position to take pressure off their elite tight end Vernon Davis, and Colston would provide the offense with a large target that would be a threat all over the field. 

Ray Rice

2011 Team: Baltimore Ravens

Team That Will Sign Him: Baltimore Ravens

Projected Contract: Six years, $78 million (If not franchised for $7.7 million)

Ray Rice is the engine that powers the Ravens offense. 

Baltimore would be in a world of hurt without the running back, which is why the team may have to lay out Adrian Peterson type money to retain his services. 

Rice is worth the top dollar figure because this Ravens team may not be a playoff contender without him next year. 

Cortland Finnegan

2011 Team: Tennessee Titans 

Team That Will Sign Him: Detroit Lions

Projected Contract: Five years, $41 million

The Lions Achilles heel for the 2011 season was their secondary, which makes a move for top free-agent defensive back a likely scenario. 

Cortland Finnegan seems like the obvious choice because he fits right in with the attitude that the Lions have recently acquired. 

Finnegan is one of the NFL's best cornerbacks, and he would improve a Lions secondary that desperately needs a spark .

Tracy Porter

2011 Team: New Orleans Saints

Team That Will Sign Him: St. Louis Rams 

Projected Contract: Four years, $20 million 

Tracy Porter had a strong finish to a rather disappointing season overall in 2011, but the 25-year-old cornerback still has a ton of value on the open market. 

Porter has shown at times that he can be an elite corner, and he would improve a Rams defense that was already one of the best in the league against the pass.

Former Saints defensive coordinator Greg Williams has relocated to St. Louis to run the Rams defense as well, meaning that Porter would be able to step in on day one without having to learn an entirely new system. 

Tracy Porter would be a steal for the Rams if they can land him for $5 million a year or less. 

Mike Tolbert

2011 Team: San Diego Chargers

Team That Will Sign Him: Detroit Lions

Projected Contract: Four years, $16 million

The Detroit Lions have issues at the running back position. 

Jahvid Best is continuing to nurse concussion problems and some reports have stated that he may not return at all, while rookie running back Mikel Leshoure is attempting to return from an Achilles tendon injury. 

Kevin Smith and Maurice Morris are not expected to return as well which leaves the gate open for a free-agent running back, aka, Mike Tolbert.

Tolbert would give the Lions a dynamic runner who would be a big time threat in the passing game, and he would take pressure off Leshoure during his return. Tolbert should not come with a hefty price tag so look for the Lions to scoop him up if they can land him at the right price.